Wind actuated advertising sign



Aug. 31, 1937. M. P. EXLINE ET AL 2,091,389

WIIiD ACTUATED ADVERTISING SIGN Filed Jan. 2, 1937 fill'mmlfieale (5 wemsl lr/ine INVENTORS Patented Aug. 31, 1937 U N g T TA E, l2,

Marcus P. Exline and William lF. Eeale, Dallas, Tex, assignors of one-third to Lily Morgan Lowrie, Houston,

Tex;

one-third to Katharine Morgan iixline, Dallas, Tex; and onethird to said Beale Application January 2,

5 Claims.

This invention relates to advertising devices and it has particular reference to wind propelled signs.

The principal object of the invention is to pro- 5 vide an animated advertising sign having a major element capable of rotating movement on a diametrical axis for adjustment to changes in wind direction and a plurality of minor elements each rotatable on a central axis and grouped about said major element for collective operation as an attraction.

Another object of the invention is to provide an advertising sign of the character specified, in which said minor elements are preferably coated with aluminum or luminous paint, in order to obtain a scintillating effect at night when light reflections are caught thereby, hence to attract the attention of passersby to the advertising matter carried by the central portion of the major element.

With the foregoing objects as paramount, the invention has other and lesser objects, as Well as certain salient features of construction, to become manifest as the description proceeds,

taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure l is a front elevation of the invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary detail view in perspective of one of the frames supporting a minor element.

Figure 3 is a detail front elevation of the inner point of securement of the radial arms constituting the frames shown in Figure 2 and reinforcing members, and

Figure 4 is a side elevation of one of the minor elements of the assembly.

Continuing with a more detailed description of the drawing, reference is primarily made to Figure l in which the reference numeral des- 40 ignates a circular frame, mounted rigidly on a post or standard 2, suitably anchored in the ground or pavement. Within this frame is a similarly shaped member 3, having pivots 1, diametrically opposed to afford an axis through the vertical plane of the said member 3. Within this member 3 is a still smaller ring 5, to which is welded or otherwise suitably secured the inner ends of a series of radially disposed reinforcing rods 5, as well as the inner ends of a similar series of frames 1, arranged alternately with the rods 6, as shown.

In the center of the circular member 3 is disposed a pair of discs 8, arranged back to back and between which the structure shown in Fig ure 3 is interposed so that it might be concealed 1937, Serial N0. 118,757

by these discs. Suitable or desirable advertising copy 9 is intended to be carried by the discs 8, which may be made interchangeable or replaceable if the occasion so requires.

The centrally pivoted and therefore rotatable element 3, which is herein referred to as the major element of the assembly is caused to fol low the direction of the wind, as a vane or the like. In being thus displaced, the series of minor elements or wind wheels B5 are always facing the direction from which the wind travels and are accordingly always in motion.

The minor elements ii], of course, may be of any design or shape to suit their requirements or the conditions under which they operate. They are mounted upon ferrules or tubular members H, the latter receiving a pin l2 which is rigid with the members H. The ends of this pin enter apertures is in the frame member I, which, obviously, is comprised of a strip of material, bent to define an area to receive the rotary ele-- ment ill and to provide parallel ends, lying against each other as a means of securement to the inner ring 5 and for rigid securement to the outer ring 3.

From the foregoing it is immediately apparent that the sign, properly mounted will be stationary but that the major element will rotate on its vertical axis with the wind and that the minor elements, regardless of the position of the major element, will rotate constantly when there is sufficient wind to effect their operation, it being understood that very little air movement is necessary to start and maintain the elements ID in operation.

Manifestly, the construction as shown and described is capable of some modification and such modification as may be construed within the scope and meaning of the appended claims is also considered to be within the spirit and intent of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A wind actuated advertising sign comprising a stationary frame, a conforming rotary frame mounted in said stationary frame for rotation about a vertical axis carrying plates bearing advertising media and a series of wind wheels having relatively parallel axes radially disposed about and within the confines of said rotary frame about said plates.

2. A wind actuated sign comprising a standard, a stationary open frame mounted on said standard, a rotary frame mounted in said open frame on a vertical axis for rotation, plates disposed in said rotary frame and a plurality of Wind Wheels having relatively parallel axes and arranged in said rotary frame about said plates for independent rotation.

3. An advertising sign comprising a body mounted for rotation on a vertical axis and a series of independently rotatable wind wheels mounted on relatively parallel axes and arranged radially in said body about its center and means on said body spaced inwardly from said Wind wheels to receive advertising matter.

4. An advertising sign comprising a stationary open frame having a rotatable frame mounted therein on a diametrical axis and a series of flutter mills arranged in spaced relationship in said rotatable frame about its central point for independent rotation on relatively parallel axes, and a sign receiving means carried by said rotat- 

